Pennine Communities Federation of
Tenants & Residents Associations

5 Lister Court
Halifax
HX1 5DR
 
01422 365281


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Tenants Association

Newsletter

March 2008


Page 1


Green Issues

Amanda Garrard and Iris O'Donnell attended the full Fed meeting on Wednesday, 27th February to encourage and inform members about GOING GREEN.

Sustainability Now!

Iris's message was loud and clear - 'size does matter and small is beautiful' - when it's the carbon footprint!

Greener living needs to be encouraged NOW to ensure the future of our children and grandchildren.

We've got to get involved in helping to reduce carbon emissions and tackling environmental problems.

Be energy efficient!

Greening Pennine

Amanda had lots of information of what's going green in Pennine:

If you are interested in becoming a Green Champ on behalf of the Federation, please contact

Jo Hartley on 01422 284518


Page 2


2008/09 Rent Increases and Business Plan

Government target rents need to be reached by 20/11/12 and so the Government has produced a rent setting formula to work out what this target rent should be. The formula is made up of 3 elements:

What this means for you as a Pennine tenant

Rent

Pennine have produced a rent plan and want to ensure that rents will increase in as small steps as possible so there are no dramatic increases and so tenants can manage.

The rent charge option of RPI + 1.5% + 0.5% has been agreed.

Garages

Garage rents will not increase for 2008/09.

Support Charges

Fixed at current rate.

Supported charges have remained unchanged since 2003 and the vast majority of tenants receive the Supporting People grant.

Any increase in support charges now will be until 2009/10 linked to the Supporting People contract.

Handy Person Scheme

The Update

Two new posts will be starting April 2008.

One will provide a helping hand with minor jobs to vulnerable tenants over the age of 50. The other will be allocated directly to new tenants.

Both services will be free of charge and should be booked directly through Pennine Direct. A maximum of four hours will be allocated to a job.

Look out for more info soon!

Tenant Board Election

New Faces Wanted

For Upper Valley & North Halifax

Are you interested in becoming a tenant Board member? Intrigued? We can offer taster sessions to show you what happens and you can meet existing Board members to find out their experiences.

If you are interested or want any more information please contact:

Margaret Holt on 01484 824327.


Page 3


Involving Young People - Fed Training Event

You are invited to.........

A special one-off event aimed at tenant & resident groups who want to engage with young people in the area and involve them in community activities and decisions.

The event, organised by the Federation in conjunction with TPAS (Tenant Participation Advisory Service), will be held Saturday, 26th April 2008 at the King's Centre in Halifax and will be a fun packed day of entertainment, speakers, workshops, information stalls & FOOD!

As part of the day we'd like to celebrate the good work that tenant groups have already achieved involving young people. Whether it be organising events, setting up a youth club, fundraising for trips, clean up campaigns, play areas, whatever you have been successful in involving young people we'd like to know.

Please contact Jo Hartley on 01422 284518 or Chris Lates on 01422 833056 if your tenants group can share a success story with us.

To encourage a good turnout the Fed have agreed to invite tenant groups from other organisations to attend the event e.g. Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing etc. This will be a great chance to find out what's going on in other areas.

Invites will be going out in the near future so keep your eyes peeled and please, please, please come along and spread the word.

European Neighbours Day

11.00am - 4.00pm

Friday, 30th May 2008

In the grounds of the 1855 Building & Eureka! Halifax

Neighbours' Day is an event that was set up in Paris in 1999 in reaction to indifference and loneliness in modern life. Since then, it has been held in more than 28 countries and over seven million people took part in it last year.

Entertainment, exotic teas, tombola, food, quiz, face painting, football games and much, much more.

For information contact Action Halifax on: 01422 321028


Page 4


Federation New Year Party

The party was held on Saturday 19th January 2008 and went swingingly well. There was a great turn out and everyone was in high spirits. Lots of dancing to be had.

The entertainment went down well and the food well received.

The Fed even had letters of thanks from people who attended to say how much they enjoyed the night.

Roll on next year!!

Don't forget the next meeting

The next Federation meeting is 7pm, Wednesday 30th April 2008, Halifax Central Library

Put a date in your diary.

Everybody Welcome

Yorkshire Planning Aid

'Everything You Wanted To Know About Section 106 Agreements......'

But were too confused, frustrated or annoyed to ask!

A one-day seminar for voluntary & community groups in the Yorkshire & Humber region.

To be held on:

Thursday 10th April 2008,

9.30am - 4.30pm

St George's Centre, Leeds

Learn about the nuts & bolts of 106 agreements, different perspectives of planners, developers and communities on the process, and give your opinion on what's wrong with the system and how it could be improved for community benefit.

It is important that the Federation have an understanding of Section 106 and this could be a real opportunity to learn the ins and outs of how it works. If you are interested in going along please contact Jo Hartley on 01422 284518


Using the Fed' Office
If you want to use the Federation Office at 5 Lister Court, Halifax please contact the Booking Secretary, Mary Battye on Halifax 01422 205665 to check that it's not already being used on that day. Mary will also be able to sort out for someone to open up the office.

 

How to contact us:
Pennine Communities Federation of Tenants & Residents Association (PCFTRA)
5 Lister Court
Halifax HX1 5DR

Tel: 01422 365281
E-mail: federation1@tiscali.co.uk
Website: www.penninefederation. org.uk